GONERIL.By day and night, he wrongs me; every hourHe flashes into one gross crime or other,That sets us all at odds; I'll not endure it:His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids usOn every trifle. — When he returns from hunting,I will not speak with him; say I am sick. — If you come slack of former services,You shall do well; the fault of it I'll answer.

OSWALD.He's coming, madam; I hear him.

[Horns within.]

GONERIL.Put on what weary negligence you please,You and your fellows; I'd have it come to question:If he distaste it, let him to our sister,Whose mind and mine, I know, in that are one,Not to be overruled. Idle old man,That still would manage those authoritiesThat he hath given away! — Now, by my life,Old fools are babes again; and must be us'dWith checks as flatteries, — when they are seen abus'd.Remember what I have said.

OSWALD.Very well, madam.

GONERIL.And let his knights have colder looks among you;What grows of it, no matter; advise your fellows so;I would breed from hence occasions, and I shall,That I may speak. — I'll write straight to my sisterTo hold my very course. — Prepare for dinner.

Take the Quiz

How did the original audience respond to the ending of King Lear?

They hated the play; it didn't gain popularity until three centuries later.They marveled it as a new style of play: the tragedy.They were so disturbed that an alternate ending was created, in which Cordelia lives.They were so outraged by Regan's character that they stoned to death the actor who played her.